Fantastic story Rafi ! I was a truck driver for over 12 years and hated every day of it but it paid the bills, i worked in my garage at night and weekends creating my sculptures purely as a hobby, giving my work away to friends and family. My mother-in-law saw an advert in the local paper "crafter's wanted" i applied and after a small interview to appraise my work, i was accepted to display and sell my work at their craft events. My first fayre I set up my table and sold most of my pieces before the doors even opened to the other crafters.....What a start...I did a few more shows before i decided with the full support of my lovely wife to give up the stresses of the driving job and become a full time Artist... I wont lie it has been hard at times, i don't get a weekly wage, I only get paid when i sell but i wouldn't change it for the world... I love what i do and i'm the happiest I've ever been. I have been a full time metal Sculptor for over 16 years now... My advice to anyone is do it now ! as this is not a dress rehearsal :)
I am taking a leap of faith. I put in my 2 week notice today. I am diving head first into this daunting journey but my heart is telling me to do it. Thank you for your inspiring story!
Never follow your heart, the most deceitful thing in this life is "following your heart" I spoke to lot of homeless people, they all followed their heart.
My favorite part was how you started with whatever you had on hand and put it to work. It's so simple it's brilliant! I think that moment is a good illustration of how intimidating "Art" can be, when it encompasses a whole airy universe of analysis paralysis - but when it comes to necessity, then what appears on the canvas is what you got. You kinda have to take a whole lot of criticism too but more people are supportive, I have found. Never stop, guys!
Omg omg omg I say again, you guys are my spirit animals! I’m from Chicago too, originally, but been in Texas since I was 10years old. I wanted to be a veterinarian or an artist when I grew up. My uncle told me about veterinarians having to pull baby calves out of their moms with a chain and tractor in Texas....ten years old and mortified, it was clear that art was my way to go. Through school it kept getting reaffirmed that art was my thing. Haha, though I have since had to help a mama goat give birth, not with a tractor and chain but with my bare hands. Lolol I am a painter/textile artist, but today I am doing gold leaf. I should say gold leafing my studio. So much more to share, but I have been painting professionally for twenty years now. You are inspiring me to try UA-cam as well. Lol eek!! I love you guys!!
I thought your story was amazing! True courage is doing something great while still being scared to death. 😆 Art has meant the world to me. I was abused and unloved by my mother growing up, and I needed something that was all my own, that no one could ever take away from me. It was art. Being able to express my feelings and what was in my heart. It has helped me more than ant therapist I've seen. Not that therapy is a bad thing. But when we create, we get closer to something magical in the universe. Cheesy, but true. We actually connect to something bigger than ourselves. I love artists. So I appreciate your story and encouragement.
Love you guys and all of your videos, they are so fun and informative! I worked in corporate for over 30 years in the debt collection industry. I started my own business in 1998, wrote some books and sold my business in 2006. Sent two boys to college and now have finally started my art career. I have been painting for 5 years now. I always wanted to be an artist but back then was told that was a hobby, not a job. It was fun to shock everyone with my art since I had not been doing any drawing or painting since I was a child. Thank you for sharing your story and allowing us to share outs. Keep up the awesome videos. Do you have one about hosting an open studio?
Love that I found these you tube vids! I gave up on the corporate America life and reevaluate life after my first kid was born. Went to nursing school to really switch things up and did some painting on the side. Somehow ended up back in middle management in nursing 😣🤷🏻♂️. As far as the art thing, things seem to just be organically happening and opportunities keep slowly opening. Gallery night led to hanging pieces at native cafe on pcola beach and dolce and gelato, led to meeting up with Marty campbell and having him make some prints, led to hanging pics at Baptist hospital, led to jacos show, led to ggcaf emerging artist this year. I have no plans, just here for the ride and will see what happens...I’ve seen your work all over, I’m sure our paths will cross sometime. Love your pieces Brits and Grits Art 😊
Hi. Just now seeing your videos. Just want to say THANK YOU! In listening to you and reading a lot of the comments, I’m learning that we all have so much in common. I started out almost a carbon copy of what you described. 😳 And after a long, LONG career of working at jobs I really don’t care for, to this day, I really want to cross the bridge of no return and do my art full time! You inspire and give hope! Even to us old folks! Again, Thank You! Create on!💎
That's really cool how you just hopped in your car and went for it! I've almost given up like a million times, and I know what it's like to be SUPER insecure about my art, but thanks to your videos and the support of my husband and best friend, I haven't given up, and I just got asked to teach art classes at a local business!
this was by far my favorite so far. I love that you come right out and say you don't have all the answers, that all you can say is what worked for you and what didn't work and that you just can't quit.
I am not a full-time artist yet, but that is what I am aiming for. For the better part of my life, I loved creating art, but it was only a couple of years ago that I decided to try my hand at selling art. I managed to sell a few pieces here and there, but I am determined to stick with this. As I heard someone say once, “It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.” Thank you for sharing your origin story!
Thank you for sharing your story. It is encouraging to know that I'm not crazy and all these fears and insecurities are things other people go through. I just did my first art festival and had my first portrait commission. I wouldn't have done it without watching you and Klee being so genuine and honest. Thanks a bunch!
Very inspirational. Lately I have been thinking of quitting my full time job for awhile. My heart is longing to make my art but I am so scared financially.
Just want to say thanks for sharing, and it sounds like many of us artists see to travel along similar journeys. I myself didn't have an issues with any art instructors, I just happened to be so far ahead of the class, that I was able to focus and figure out what my style was. I had hopes for an art scholarship, but was not supported by family members as being an artist was not a viable career. I ended up paying my way through college with a focus on art and design, and ended up doing art in the commercial spectrum, but still maintained my freedom to focus on my art on my own free time and on my own terms as it was also my emotional release from the crazy world around me. My art is always changing and always developing as my interests evolve. I love hearing the insight you have to offer in the struggle of finding your inner peace as an artist and doing what feels right. So again, thanks for sharing your stories
I have 2 full time jobs and my “Amway” business on the side but I wasn’t really happy until I came across y’all video. And it reminded me why I’m not happy. My whole life growing up I’ve always drawn something every day. The moment I graduated college is when I stop because my environment was just not letting me draw for some reason I just couldn’t focus. 6 years later I took care of my family, my parents and 10 of my siblings so art was no where near my radar. 7 years later still the same I just added a second job and an online business but still not satisfied. Not with the money I’m making but just not satisfied.......until I came across y’all video and I realized why I wasn’t. Because I wasn’t doing what I “love” so thanks to y’all I’m now on a new journey, this time chasing after what I love. And I hope I’ll enjoy the process to get there and hopefully meet the both of you and thank you guys personally for giving me hope about my art again.🙏🏽
What a wonderful pair of artists you are. I listen to you and smile and smile and smile. I really like your message in this video. Being an artist is hard work and making any money is very hard work. I loved your story, it was real. Doubting yourself is so destructive. You did it in moving out of your comfort zone and taking rislks. Congratulations. You deserve every bit of success. I know so well the lack of confidence. I worked away for a bunch of years when I was young, believing my art had something worthwhile but a deep belief that no one else would like it so it needed to just be for me. I closed the door on my art life at 40, it was just too hard working a full time job, keeping a family and all that ordinary life stuff plus diagnosis with a serious disease for which there was no cure. I kept my art work (luckily on paper) and I shifted it all from one house to another and one storage facility to another. Most people had forgotten I ever did make art, except for one friend. One day she came to my apartment and said get out that art. She went through and picked 20 works and banged them into cheap Chinese frames and I agreed to pay half of a pretty modest rental for two weeks in a gallery in a hipster area. I thought it was time I actually looked at the work on a wall and decide once and for all at the age of 71 if I had been any good or not. I never thought anyone would buy anything. Fast forward to the hanging day (my lovely friend again as I was ill). In comes a chap off the street (he had been buying wiggets or spokets or something in hardware store next door). He told my friend to reserve the whole exhibition, he would be back for the opening the next day. We thought he must be an eccentric and didn't expect him back. He came back, paid instantly and I sold out show. I had constant stream of locals coming in and loving the work. Much to my surprise it was young people around 20s 30s who loved it most. On strength of that I have another exhibition of partly older work and new work later this year. So my message is it is never too late.
Awesome journey, you two. I kind of resonate with the too chicken to show part. It feels more like duh-du-dunnnnn... rather than TA-daaaa. Regardless, thoroughly appreciate how hard you worked to get to today. I DO re- listen to your videos as they are a better courage booster than, well... less than healthful options. Keep up the great messages!
What a great story. Thanks for sharing this. I think you've given a lot of practical advice, and I'm not even sure you realize it. First, you didn't get anywhere until you made the decision to start SHOWing YOUR WORK. That led you to learn how to BE BRAVE. The hard times taught you to NEVER GIVE UP. You were out there EVERY WEEK DOING SOMETHING. (This is where I'll fail, lol) You ALWAYS HAD FUN. It seems as if you are ALWAYS GRATEFUL. So.. I think all of that is great advice for starting an art career. Being brave, having fun and being grateful are the emotional legwork necessary to craft the work ethic of never give up and do something every week to forward your career. All of which leads to being able to show your work, which is something so many people don't do. How can your work sell if nobody sees it? Yet, sometimes, we throw our work on a webpage and treat it like a pair of shoes we're hoping someone will spot and want to buy. Art doesn't work like that. It has to be SEEN, often in person. As an unrelated aside, I'd just like to mention that Klee is so awesome. I want to be her when I grow up, lol. She's got this grace and poise, and she's just so charming, but through it all she's super fun, funny and quite a bit sarcastic. I love how you always include her in your videos. This is the best video format I've ever seen. :)
I love everyone's stories. We all have different backgrounds that lead us all to the same end result. Fascinating. I come from a long line of self taught artists. My father, uncles, great uncles, grandfather. As a child and teenager I used to spend time with my dad painting. After high school I started working in factories for 18 years. At the age of 34 I got breast cancer and had to stop working because of lymphedema in my left arm and hand. I was in a dark place emotionally. I had no idea where to go from there. Then for my birthday my dad bought me some paints, brushes and canvases and told me to paint. I picked it up after 18 years of no painting and it was like I had never stopped. I could paint like i could never paint before. I couldn't explain how. That was 6 years ago and i have sold numerous paintings across Canada and the US. I still want to accomplish more though in the time that I have left on this earth. Thanks for making this video. You guys are an inspiration. Travelling across the country selling art and jewelry out of your car. Awesome! 🤗
Great story. Very similar for me. I was a child of the 60s. My college art experience in the mid-70s taught me I had to make meaningless flings of paint on canvas (sorry if you're a Pollack fan) and even then it was going to be starvation. They said it'll be REALLY HARD. Well, I'd already been selling paintings long before I got to art school so who needed that noise, but dropping out of school was frowned on by my parents who now insisted that I "settle down." "Art is a hobby." So I taught my children how to do art and designed artful curricula materials for schools. At age 60, last year, I decided it was time.
You two are hillarious and I love you both,both for your humour and goodheartedness in the way u genuinely want to help us strugglers with a lot of great solid information. Thanks guys, love Mark
You guys are living the dream! Ya’ll are so humble, thank you for sharing your story! I had the same upbringing that art is dead end and now I am working part time ( as an animal rescuer)and doing part time art and caricature gigs! It isn’t a bad balance but as I get older I look forward to full time art and hopefully have my farm 😂. Love ya’ll and keep it up!
Really great story. You guys are hilarious together and obviously very much in love. It reminds me of my gf and I. I’ve watched loads of videos on how to become a full time artist and everything conflicts with each other. No one is in agreement and it was very overwhelming to me until I watched this video. Most helpful one by far and you really didn’t even say anything specific other than to just figure it out myself and trust myself. Thanks forever Rafi .
Rafi, thanks for your videos. I am at the start of the self made artist path. O quit my higher paying job to move and work uber/door dash and even working now with the plague going on. Im currently looking for a studio. I have a ton of paintings but now I need the space. Thanks for your tips. It really helps us get some direction into the unknown
Love the story, Rafi! I needed to hear this. I'm getting ready for my first solo exhibition and going a little crazy with self doubt & freaking out over figuring out what to create for the show, timelines, etc. I've always been creative. I had a 20 year career in web design & found myself flying solo a couple years ago. My wife suggested I start trying to sell things like birthday invitations on Etsy. I couldn't bring myself to do it so I went back to the art I like to create. I used to make stencils for airbrushing cheesy tees & what not in the late '80s, so I decided to do a more modern take on that and start spray painting canvases to sell. As my stencils became more detailed I realized I liked the look of the cut paper so much that it should be the art. I started making very detailed cut paper art in late 2017 and have been doing it ever since. I've been in a couple exhibitions and now have work in two local galleries (both approached me first). Both offered to give me a solo exhibition, but I can really only concentrate on one at a time. I feel like I'm on the cusp of "making it", but I still need more consistent sales to quit my part-time college teaching gig to do art full time. I'm really enjoying your videos. If you'd like to see my work the best place is Instagram. instagram.com/bjsmith.art/ I have a website too, but I need to update it.
hey Rafi! love your origin story! i love to travel too but I haven't gone anywhere for the past few years cause money is quite tight. I have just started my small business in specialised design services and honestly have no clue what im doing, but im going for it! watching your videos really help me to stay motivated and keep going forward! thank you!
Awesome story ,I have never really shared my paintings online cause I consider myself more of a crafter then an artist, I think its an easier way to describe what I do which is more of a mixed media type of creator .plus I make tons of crafty items in my Etsy shop.
I can relate. I’m working on changing my thoughts and mindset and gaining confidence. I have so much work but I don’t think it’s good enough to sell but that IS NOT TRUE. Thank you for your video. I love your videos!!!
You guys are so awesome and inspiring. Thank you for putting out this content. I'm just starting and have given myself 5 years to get earn a regular income with my art. Beat wishes to you both!
Fear can get in the way of so many great and wonderful things. Facing fear is where we grow. Thank you for sharing your story and letting others know that, if they're open to it, good things can happen. :)
You guys are AWESOME! And you are giving me the steps I need to just do it. Because I really wish I knew how to get from “ here” to “there”. After listening to your story Rafi, I think I can do it to. I’m afraid to start an instagram account and I know that would be the perfect place to put my stuff. I have listened to your videos and pod casts. But I don’t know what’s stopping me. Is it about someone stealing my work? You gave me an answer to that. Is it fear about no one looking at my work? Again an answer from you. I just don’t know what’s stopping me...
This makes me feel a little better. I'm currently sitting on the fence over whether I should get a job that would get me a lot of money to live comfortably, or if I should create more ideas that I have, that could potentially result in me living a better quality of life. There's a market for the ideas, I just need to implement them. But money is a big driving factor in what I do and I don't get as much as I'd like.
I have to thank you folks for taking the time and sharing and for all the helpful tips. You are wonderful presenters, engaging and funny. I really enjoy the chemistry you have together. I would like to ask during the lean years what did you do to bring in enough money to keep travelling around for two years? Was it art sales or bust? Or was there a side job here and there? If you had a side job, how did you keep it from derailing progress as full time artists?
Thanks for sharing, it's inspiring to hear your story. I definitely need to do more painting. Love the idea of painting on anything you find that is paintable. When were you in Chicago? I was in Chicago for a year, lead to some changes for me to.
Your origin story was great to hear, thank you so much for sharing. :-) it's comforting in an oh-yeah-anything-is-possible-duh-that's-what-art-is kind of way to listen to others that have pursued a creative living AND lived to tell the tale!
My business gets slow from time to time, so I wouldn't call myself a success at all. But I love what I do and I always try new things, I was doing portrait art for a while, made some sales, got bored, and then did acrylic pours. Making some sales with the pours too :D
Thanks so much for sharing! It is an uplifting and inspiring story. I am feeling very unhappy in my current job right now and am trying to figure out what to do next... And of course I'm frightened. Your vid is encouraging 😊
Funny how it happens when you're sitting there thinking "huh, I don't really have any reason not to..." And then you work your ass off and it happens :P Thank you for sharing! :D
@@Rafiandklee I am teaching myself from various sources. I hope to get to a point where I can do this full time. I have wayyyy to go but hopefully someday.
I am a little late to this party but the video was so inspiring....i had to share. I was a writer when I was a kid...had a couple things published but wasn't an artist (still won't say that I am...which annoys my boyfriend). I was a jock. I started when I was 9 and I played whatever struck my fancy. I even played a pro sport. Long story short...haha....at 45 I picked up painting but am complete terrified to share my art with the public. My boyfriend and some friends are encouraging me to put my paintings out there but.....
@@Rafiandklee ok funny development. I was talking to a co-worker and I mentioned that I paint and showed her a couple picture of my stuff and talked about this....my fear of putting my stuff out there......and she tells me she's on the board of a local artist fair and I should sign up. It's a pretty popular one and I would need to submit three pieces for approval to the board. I am trying to convince myself this is a sign😊
My origin story: like you, I have been drawing and painting my whole life, but always discouraged from doing it. I got a job at an agency as a graphic designer, got comfy, thought I would be doing that forever - and then one day, I got laid off. Not because of my work, but because the management mismanaged the company and needed to make cuts, and so they axed the art department. After that huge shake-up, I created my first coloring book, and now my second one is out and I'm almost done a third. I also do gallery shows. I'm hardly making my bills, but I'm finally realizing that this, what I'm doing now, is what I should be doing with myself. And every time a bill comes up and I'm not sure how to pay it, I somehow make a sale or get a commission - it feels like the universe is helping me out. I admit I'm scared all the time, but to me, I just can't trust another company with my life anymore. I need to do me, even if I'm poor! Thank you guys for being so REAL and honest. I recently found your channel and love it!!
I am so fascinated by your origin story. So what part of Illinois are you from? I live in Southern Illinois. My mother was born and raised in Pensacola and moved to SI when she met my dad. He was stationed in Pensacola in the 1950's. I remember visiting the beaches with my grandmother when they were still wild with sea oak and not a condo in site. I envy your courage to pack up and just go. I hope to catch you and Klee on my next visit and see your art in person. Love Rafi's Rants and Klee is adorable, she cracks me up! I make art and would love to set up a booth at one of the festivals. Is it true that you have to have a vendors license in the state of Florida? Any advice you have for setting up a vendor booth in Pensacola would be greatly appreciated.
Hey Rafi & Klee, yeah, your story sounds an awful lot like my younger years. . . nearly identical. "you can't do Art for a living still echo's in my head at 53 . . . from my childhood. You two are awesome. Love ya's, "keep it turned on" Have a great day.
My origin story (the very short version) is this: I've been drawing since I was a kid, mostly in pencil but In 2011, I started painting, simply because I love exploring new ways to be creative. I was never actually encouraged to be an artist, but I did get good feedback on my art, and I still do. I remember drawing on binders at school, and the self-portrait I did in art class in 8th grade. I've developed a lot since drawing horses on that binder :D In 2015, after some less than stellar coaching advice had me down a dead end for a number of years, I'd had enough of working so bloody hard for so few results. Working more didn't get me more, it only drained me. So I decided to just do what I love instead, and work a lot less. I wanted simplicity and ease, I wanted to own my multi-passionate nature, I wanted to keep learning and exploring things, and I wanted to follow my intuition more, make my own rules instead of other people's cookie cutter solutions. So that's what I've been trying to create since then. My art sales are few and far between but I'm now at a comfortable pricing structure, at least, and the print sales have become slightly more frequent. I'm still far away from the freedom I want though. If you want to have a look, my site is lindaursin.net
Hi guys, I'd love to hear your opinion about my situation. I'm a parttime designer, working at a foundation that takes care of disabled people. I love my job as it involved many different disciplines, such as graphic, media and product design. I'm doing that for 20 hours a week and I love my job. When I'm off, I'm either painting, buying more paint and canvasses or watching your video's :) Do you think it's necessary for an artist to do it fulltime to be able to progress skills, do marketing related things etc. to become a "successful" artist? I'm not doing art for the money, meaning I'm in it for the fun and it's a great way to express yourself, but it sure is nice to sell a piece every now and then if only to be able to pay for the paint and canvasses.
My story is a very interesting but LONG one one for the little time I have been around on this earth. (at the end of the story age 18) I hope you see this! :) Link to my work is at the end! :) insta. I just have always have had a pull to the arts. I never started out as the best in the younger years but my vision was relay different from the other kids. I had the straight up "natural talent" with composition and prospective. ect. But the way it was put down was not the best it needed a lot of improvement. In grade 6,7,8 my art was always shown as the example from the art teacher and they would always be floored about the ideas and the creativity of it but i did not comprehend that at the time. The teacher would point out in front of the class on what I needed to improve on and i took that to hart in a good way and tried to improve the class and school was seeing that and I got bullied HARD for my art. Since art was the only way I knew how to cope that only lead to more art witch lead to way more bullying. Going into high school I faked being dumb and got into a different school out of my zoning. FINALLY I had a fresh chance. I was just known as that weird chill art kid that was very polite to everybody, and In my grade 10 year I took my art very seriously and was Improving like wildfire. around that time I got into my first street show and sucked but I had something unique to bring to the table so people were kind of like OoOoO you like art kid? and responded with yes witch lead to my first sale. I was happy for my first sale so I went into it like a mad man and started to step up my game. nothing much happend in that year but my Friends thought I was going crazy but respected me after hearing the first half of the story fast forward to 1.8 years later completing 250+ paintings on canvas or Framed drawings alone not including the good old trusty sketchbooks. yeah I got a lot done one day out of the blue my friend found a add on the internet for a call out for artists to be on TV. (There is a collage program close buy that has film students and there work gets put onto the local TV station.) I downloaded a copy and put it up on my UA-cam channel and my friend referenced me. so I just randomly got a email and then it just went on from there next there is a TV crew at my studio.... Things kept only going up from there... A local artist that was also on that TV show contacted me and asked if I wanted to team up and get some of my work out there in cafes It was fun!!! and simultaneously the word about the TV Interview had gotten out since they filmed some shots at my school too.. The very few friends that I talked to spread it like WILDFIRE... and the teacher that was involved with the Interview sent it out to ALL of the other teachers in the school. Teachers I did not personally know were showing it to there cases... Within 3 days the original got up to 200+ views ( vimeo.com/256998574 ) I sold a handful of more painting from that within acouple of months as the same time as that that the same artist who got my work into the cafe just automatically put my work into another cafe inside a city hall!! and as well as that one of the teachers who saw the TV Interview got me into a show called "The Passion Project" at the same collage that the film students were at... I created a Trptic for it called "The Human Kindness Trptic" and that went well!!! the same teacher got my artwork into a Invite only show in a neighboring city hall for a art festival. I also applied for a booth as a street vendor selling art and into the silent auction for fundraising and got in because my art was in the main advent for city hall... It all went amazing I sold a couple paintings as a vendor and the 3 paintings that was put into the silent auction for Fundraising never came back ;) It has been a amazing ride so far and I can not wait to see whats around the corner!!!! Hopefully Your videos will help me for the next phase. God Bless and keep on making art brother. My work It would be a honor if you checked it out :) instagram.com/generationunnamed/
I am not a full time artist, but just recently I started trying to sell my art online. I am not aggressive about it, and to be honest, I have only sold 3 pieces and one was a commission. I have a Facebook page and my Etsy shop. I love creating art, but it feels weird to call myself and artist and I have only ever had one piece in a gallery and it did not sell. I can only create a few pieces a week as I work full time and have kids. But it would be wonderful to be able to go full time one day. This is a link to my Etsy page. www.etsy.com/shop/MaggiesArtShopCo and Facebook page: m.facebook.com/maggiesartshop/
I’ve been doing art for pretty much my whole life, though I still struggle with showing people or sharing it. I’ve been a restaurant manager for about 20 years now, doing small pieces and selling them from time to time. I went through a nasty divorce last year and have turned back to my art as a means of coping. Started making little worldbuilding/ constructed language / fantasy art videos here last year. Thought I should finally use that painting degree of mine for something. I would much rather do art all the time rather than running a sports bar. You can see a few of my small pieces on my Instagram under @MichaelBaconArt . Would love your feedback.
Fantastic story Rafi ! I was a truck driver for over 12 years and hated every day of it but it paid the bills, i worked in my garage at night and weekends creating my sculptures purely as a hobby, giving my work away to friends and family. My mother-in-law saw an advert in the local paper "crafter's wanted" i applied and after a small interview to appraise my work, i was accepted to display and sell my work at their craft events.
My first fayre I set up my table and sold most of my pieces before the doors even opened to the other crafters.....What a start...I did a few more shows before i decided with the full support of my lovely wife to give up the stresses of the driving job and become a full time Artist... I wont lie it has been hard at times, i don't get a weekly wage, I only get paid when i sell but i wouldn't change it for the world... I love what i do and i'm the happiest I've ever been.
I have been a full time metal Sculptor for over 16 years now... My advice to anyone is do it now ! as this is not a dress rehearsal :)
Roosterscreations so happy for you 👍
Thanks also for your advise. Ubering is taking a toll on me but at least I dont need to ask for time off from a boss!
Strange, my life story is the opposite. I started hating doing art. An absolute dread.
I am taking a leap of faith. I put in my 2 week notice today. I am diving head first into this daunting journey but my heart is telling me to do it. Thank you for your inspiring story!
How's it going Edgar?
update please!
Edgar A. Hernandez yes update!
Never follow your heart, the most deceitful thing in this life is "following your heart"
I spoke to lot of homeless people, they all followed their heart.
kris matt life is so much more complicated than that .
My favorite part was how you started with whatever you had on hand and put it to work. It's so simple it's brilliant! I think that moment is a good illustration of how intimidating "Art" can be, when it encompasses a whole airy universe of analysis paralysis - but when it comes to necessity, then what appears on the canvas is what you got. You kinda have to take a whole lot of criticism too but more people are supportive, I have found.
Never stop, guys!
Omg omg omg I say again, you guys are my spirit animals! I’m from Chicago too, originally, but been in Texas since I was 10years old.
I wanted to be a veterinarian or an artist when I grew up. My uncle told me about veterinarians having to pull baby calves out of their moms with a chain and tractor in Texas....ten years old and mortified, it was clear that art was my way to go. Through school it kept getting reaffirmed that art was my thing.
Haha, though I have since had to help a mama goat give birth, not with a tractor and chain but with my bare hands. Lolol
I am a painter/textile artist, but today I am doing gold leaf. I should say gold leafing my studio. So much more to share, but I have been painting professionally for twenty years now. You are inspiring me to try UA-cam as well. Lol eek!! I love you guys!!
You guys are just such brilliant human beings :')
I thought your story was amazing! True courage is doing something great while still being scared to death. 😆 Art has meant the world to me. I was abused and unloved by my mother growing up, and I needed something that was all my own, that no one could ever take away from me. It was art. Being able to express my feelings and what was in my heart. It has helped me more than ant therapist I've seen. Not that therapy is a bad thing. But when we create, we get closer to something magical in the universe. Cheesy, but true. We actually connect to something bigger than ourselves. I love artists. So I appreciate your story and encouragement.
Love you guys and all of your videos, they are so fun and informative! I worked in corporate for over 30 years in the debt collection industry. I started my own business in 1998, wrote some books and sold my business in 2006. Sent two boys to college and now have finally started my art career. I have been painting for 5 years now. I always wanted to be an artist but back then was told that was a hobby, not a job. It was fun to shock everyone with my art since I had not been doing any drawing or painting since I was a child. Thank you for sharing your story and allowing us to share outs. Keep up the awesome videos. Do you have one about hosting an open studio?
Love that I found these you tube vids!
I gave up on the corporate America life and reevaluate life after my first kid was born. Went to nursing school to really switch things up and did some painting on the side. Somehow ended up back in middle management in nursing 😣🤷🏻♂️.
As far as the art thing, things seem to just be organically happening and opportunities keep slowly opening. Gallery night led to hanging pieces at native cafe on pcola beach and dolce and gelato, led to meeting up with Marty campbell and having him make some prints, led to hanging pics at Baptist hospital, led to jacos show, led to ggcaf emerging artist this year.
I have no plans, just here for the ride and will see what happens...I’ve seen your work all over, I’m sure our paths will cross sometime.
Love your pieces
Brits and Grits Art 😊
Hi. Just now seeing your videos. Just want to say THANK YOU! In listening to you and reading a lot of the comments, I’m learning that we all have so much in common. I started out almost a carbon copy of what you described. 😳 And after a long, LONG career of working at jobs I really don’t care for, to this day, I really want to cross the bridge of no return and do my art full time! You inspire and give hope! Even to us old folks! Again, Thank You! Create on!💎
Not boring, gives me inspiration to keep working on my art, finding my art style, and make a career out if it.
That's really cool how you just hopped in your car and went for it! I've almost given up like a million times, and I know what it's like to be SUPER insecure about my art, but thanks to your videos and the support of my husband and best friend, I haven't given up, and I just got asked to teach art classes at a local business!
Thanks for telling your story, I do exactly what you did ,thank you thank you 🙏
this was by far my favorite so far. I love that you come right out and say you don't have all the answers, that all you can say is what worked for you and what didn't work and that you just can't quit.
I am not a full-time artist yet, but that is what I am aiming for. For the better part of my life, I loved creating art, but it was only a couple of years ago that I decided to try my hand at selling art. I managed to sell a few pieces here and there, but I am determined to stick with this. As I heard someone say once, “It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.” Thank you for sharing your origin story!
Thank you for sharing your story. It is encouraging to know that I'm not crazy and all these fears and insecurities are things other people go through. I just did my first art festival and had my first portrait commission. I wouldn't have done it without watching you and Klee being so genuine and honest. Thanks a bunch!
Great story, thanks. I followed my dream for many years, as a trucker. Now I have a new dream, I'm an artist.
Very inspirational. Lately I have been thinking of quitting my full time job for awhile. My heart is longing to make my art but I am so scared financially.
Just want to say thanks for sharing, and it sounds like many of us artists see to travel along similar journeys.
I myself didn't have an issues with any art instructors, I just happened to be so far ahead of the class, that I was able to focus and figure out what my style was. I had hopes for an art scholarship, but was not supported by family members as being an artist was not a viable career. I ended up paying my way through college with a focus on art and design, and ended up doing art in the commercial spectrum, but still maintained my freedom to focus on my art on my own free time and on my own terms as it was also my emotional release from the crazy world around me. My art is always changing and always developing as my interests evolve.
I love hearing the insight you have to offer in the struggle of finding your inner peace as an artist and doing what feels right. So again, thanks for sharing your stories
I have 2 full time jobs and my “Amway” business on the side but I wasn’t really happy until I came across y’all video. And it reminded me why I’m not happy. My whole life growing up I’ve always drawn something every day. The moment I graduated college is when I stop because my environment was just not letting me draw for some reason I just couldn’t focus. 6 years later I took care of my family, my parents and 10 of my siblings so art was no where near my radar. 7 years later still the same I just added a second job and an online business but still not satisfied. Not with the money I’m making but just not satisfied.......until I came across y’all video and I realized why I wasn’t. Because I wasn’t doing what I “love” so thanks to y’all I’m now on a new journey, this time chasing after what I love. And I hope I’ll enjoy the process to get there and hopefully meet the both of you and thank you guys personally for giving me hope about my art again.🙏🏽
What a wonderful pair of artists you are. I listen to you and smile and smile and smile. I really like your message in this video. Being an artist is hard work and making any money is very hard work. I loved your story, it was real. Doubting yourself is so destructive. You did it in moving out of your comfort zone and taking rislks. Congratulations. You deserve every bit of success.
I know so well the lack of confidence. I worked away for a bunch of years when I was young, believing my art had something worthwhile but a deep belief that no one else would like it so it needed to just be for me. I closed the door on my art life at 40, it was just too hard working a full time job, keeping a family and all that ordinary life stuff plus diagnosis with a serious disease for which there was no cure. I kept my art work (luckily on paper) and I shifted it all from one house to another and one storage facility to another. Most people had forgotten I ever did make art, except for one friend. One day she came to my apartment and said get out that art. She went through and picked 20 works and banged them into cheap Chinese frames and I agreed to pay half of a pretty modest rental for two weeks in a gallery in a hipster area. I thought it was time I actually looked at the work on a wall and decide once and for all at the age of 71 if I had been any good or not. I never thought anyone would buy anything. Fast forward to the hanging day (my lovely friend again as I was ill). In comes a chap off the street (he had been buying wiggets or spokets or something in hardware store next door). He told my friend to reserve the whole exhibition, he would be back for the opening the next day. We thought he must be an eccentric and didn't expect him back. He came back, paid instantly and I sold out show. I had constant stream of locals coming in and loving the work. Much to my surprise it was young people around 20s 30s who loved it most. On strength of that I have another exhibition of partly older work and new work later this year. So my message is it is never too late.
Awesome journey, you two. I kind of resonate with the too chicken to show part. It feels more like duh-du-dunnnnn... rather than TA-daaaa. Regardless, thoroughly appreciate how hard you worked to get to today. I DO re- listen to your videos as they are a better courage booster than, well... less than healthful options. Keep up the great messages!
You guys are GREAT!! You need your own t.v. show. Wonderful dynamic between you two!
What a great story. Thanks for sharing this. I think you've given a lot of practical advice, and I'm not even sure you realize it. First, you didn't get anywhere until you made the decision to start SHOWing YOUR WORK. That led you to learn how to BE BRAVE. The hard times taught you to NEVER GIVE UP. You were out there EVERY WEEK DOING SOMETHING. (This is where I'll fail, lol) You ALWAYS HAD FUN. It seems as if you are ALWAYS GRATEFUL. So.. I think all of that is great advice for starting an art career. Being brave, having fun and being grateful are the emotional legwork necessary to craft the work ethic of never give up and do something every week to forward your career. All of which leads to being able to show your work, which is something so many people don't do. How can your work sell if nobody sees it? Yet, sometimes, we throw our work on a webpage and treat it like a pair of shoes we're hoping someone will spot and want to buy. Art doesn't work like that. It has to be SEEN, often in person. As an unrelated aside, I'd just like to mention that Klee is so awesome. I want to be her when I grow up, lol. She's got this grace and poise, and she's just so charming, but through it all she's super fun, funny and quite a bit sarcastic. I love how you always include her in your videos. This is the best video format I've ever seen. :)
I love everyone's stories. We all have different backgrounds that lead us all to the same end result. Fascinating. I come from a long line of self taught artists. My father, uncles, great uncles, grandfather. As a child and teenager I used to spend time with my dad painting. After high school I started working in factories for 18 years. At the age of 34 I got breast cancer and had to stop working because of lymphedema in my left arm and hand. I was in a dark place emotionally. I had no idea where to go from there. Then for my birthday my dad bought me some paints, brushes and canvases and told me to paint. I picked it up after 18 years of no painting and it was like I had never stopped. I could paint like i could never paint before. I couldn't explain how. That was 6 years ago and i have sold numerous paintings across Canada and the US. I still want to accomplish more though in the time that I have left on this earth. Thanks for making this video. You guys are an inspiration. Travelling across the country selling art and jewelry out of your car. Awesome! 🤗
Great story. Very similar for me. I was a child of the 60s. My college art experience in the mid-70s taught me I had to make meaningless flings of paint on canvas (sorry if you're a Pollack fan) and even then it was going to be starvation. They said it'll be REALLY HARD. Well, I'd already been selling paintings long before I got to art school so who needed that noise, but dropping out of school was frowned on by my parents who now insisted that I "settle down." "Art is a hobby." So I taught my children how to do art and designed artful curricula materials for schools. At age 60, last year, I decided it was time.
It would have been way cooler if you gained super powers in your origin story.
Yes yes yes yes!!! Thank you for sharing your story. I relate so much to a lot of what you said.
You two are hillarious and I love you both,both for your humour and goodheartedness in the way u genuinely want to help us strugglers with a lot of great solid information. Thanks guys, love Mark
You guys are living the dream! Ya’ll are so humble, thank you for sharing your story! I had the same upbringing that art is dead end and now I am working part time ( as an animal rescuer)and doing part time art and caricature gigs! It isn’t a bad balance but as I get older I look forward to full time art and hopefully have my farm 😂. Love ya’ll and keep it up!
Thanks, Rafi, needed to hear that. You and your wife make a great team. Thanks for the story.
Really great story. You guys are hilarious together and obviously very much in love. It reminds me of my gf and I. I’ve watched loads of videos on how to become a full time artist and everything conflicts with each other. No one is in agreement and it was very overwhelming to me until I watched this video. Most helpful one by far and you really didn’t even say anything specific other than to just figure it out myself and trust myself. Thanks forever Rafi .
My origin story is evolving as I type...Love your channel 😎
Thank you for sharing your story and your truth. It means a lot to your fellow artists.
Rafi, thanks for your videos. I am at the start of the self made artist path. O quit my higher paying job to move and work uber/door dash and even working now with the plague going on. Im currently looking for a studio. I have a ton of paintings but now I need the space. Thanks for your tips. It really helps us get some direction into the unknown
Love the story, Rafi! I needed to hear this. I'm getting ready for my first solo exhibition and going a little crazy with self doubt & freaking out over figuring out what to create for the show, timelines, etc. I've always been creative. I had a 20 year career in web design & found myself flying solo a couple years ago. My wife suggested I start trying to sell things like birthday invitations on Etsy. I couldn't bring myself to do it so I went back to the art I like to create. I used to make stencils for airbrushing cheesy tees & what not in the late '80s, so I decided to do a more modern take on that and start spray painting canvases to sell.
As my stencils became more detailed I realized I liked the look of the cut paper so much that it should be the art. I started making very detailed cut paper art in late 2017 and have been doing it ever since. I've been in a couple exhibitions and now have work in two local galleries (both approached me first). Both offered to give me a solo exhibition, but I can really only concentrate on one at a time. I feel like I'm on the cusp of "making it", but I still need more consistent sales to quit my part-time college teaching gig to do art full time.
I'm really enjoying your videos. If you'd like to see my work the best place is Instagram. instagram.com/bjsmith.art/ I have a website too, but I need to update it.
Rafi Was Here Studios Thank you!
hey Rafi! love your origin story! i love to travel too but I haven't gone anywhere for the past few years cause money is quite tight. I have just started my small business in specialised design services and honestly have no clue what im doing, but im going for it! watching your videos really help me to stay motivated and keep going forward! thank you!
Funny how negative comments can create crossroads and forks in the road in life. Neat story!
Great story! Thank you for sharing!
This was a great posting! 👍 Good info to know. Very helpful.😀 Thank you.❤️
Love this story, I have watched it several times. Thanks for sharing this
haha! This was great.
Awesome story ,I have never really shared my paintings online cause I consider myself more of a crafter then an artist, I think its an easier way to describe what I do which is more of a mixed media type of creator .plus I make tons of crafty items in my Etsy shop.
I can relate. I’m working on changing my thoughts and mindset and gaining confidence. I have so much work but I don’t think it’s good enough to sell but that IS NOT TRUE. Thank you for your video. I love your videos!!!
Thank you for posting this and all of your other videos.
I love your origin story!😊
Thank you so much for sharing your story and keeping it real. Recently came across you site and binge watching
Thanks again you both
Vicki
It is a cool story, very organic
WOW....i loved hearing your story. We have some similarities
Wonderful story! Thanks for sharing😊
Amazing. Thank you for sharing this. Love to listen to your art journey and your thought processes
You guys are so awesome and inspiring. Thank you for putting out this content. I'm just starting and have given myself 5 years to get earn a regular income with my art. Beat wishes to you both!
What an awesome story! Thx for sharing!
how do you guys not have 9,909,823,984,981 followers? you guys are the best!
Fear can get in the way of so many great and wonderful things. Facing fear is where we grow. Thank you for sharing your story and letting others know that, if they're open to it, good things can happen. :)
One of the best videos I've seen in a long time.
Thank you so much!
loved your story indeed
Awesome,thanks , calif, usa
Just what i needed , THank you for your existence Love you Soul fam
Thank you for sharing your experience.it helps me a lot.
Awesome, nice to hear your story Rafi and Klee
Thank you. Awesome video. Completely terrifying but awesome video.
I guess I just have to show my stuff. Thank you again for the great advice.
Lovely!!!!!!
You guys are AWESOME! And you are giving me the steps I need to just do it. Because I really wish I knew how to get from “ here” to “there”. After listening to your story Rafi, I think I can do it to. I’m afraid to start an instagram account and I know that would be the perfect place to put my stuff. I have listened to your videos and pod casts. But I don’t know what’s stopping me. Is it about someone stealing my work? You gave me an answer to that. Is it fear about no one looking at my work? Again an answer from you. I just don’t know what’s stopping me...
This makes me feel a little better. I'm currently sitting on the fence over whether I should get a job that would get me a lot of money to live comfortably, or if I should create more ideas that I have, that could potentially result in me living a better quality of life. There's a market for the ideas, I just need to implement them. But money is a big driving factor in what I do and I don't get as much as I'd like.
Which one did you decide?
yeah, when I was in high school. I flunked all my classes But Art classes.
you guys are amazing and cool 😊
I have to thank you folks for taking the time and sharing and for all the helpful tips. You are wonderful presenters, engaging and funny. I really enjoy the chemistry you have together.
I would like to ask during the lean years what did you do to bring in enough money to keep travelling around for two years? Was it art sales or bust? Or was there a side job here and there? If you had a side job, how did you keep it from derailing progress as full time artists?
Thanks for sharing, it's inspiring to hear your story. I definitely need to do more painting. Love the idea of painting on anything you find that is paintable.
When were you in Chicago?
I was in Chicago for a year, lead to some changes for me to.
Amazing story..very inspiring and motivating...
Thanks for being real about the hardships in the beginning. I'm happy just to see new content from you guys. Happy v-day and keep it up! :D
Your origin story was great to hear, thank you so much for sharing. :-) it's comforting in an oh-yeah-anything-is-possible-duh-that's-what-art-is kind of way to listen to others that have pursued a creative living AND lived to tell the tale!
Wow, I'd say, your artistic nature was core, but you had (developed) serious work ethics to back up your art career.. Great foundation :)
My business gets slow from time to time, so I wouldn't call myself a success at all.
But I love what I do and I always try new things, I was doing portrait art for a while, made some sales, got bored, and then did acrylic pours. Making some sales with the pours too :D
Didn't know you were so painfully shy about your art. LOL Never would have guessed!! Progress right there, bro😄
Thanks so much for sharing! It is an uplifting and inspiring story. I am feeling very unhappy in my current job right now and am trying to figure out what to do next... And of course I'm frightened. Your vid is encouraging 😊
Thanks for the honesty
Funny how it happens when you're sitting there thinking "huh, I don't really have any reason not to..." And then you work your ass off and it happens :P Thank you for sharing! :D
I love you both! What an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your story.
Rafi this was so inspiring!! Thank you so much for sharing your journey 🙂
Beautiful inspiring story. Did you go to any art school or attelier?
@@Rafiandklee I am teaching myself from various sources. I hope to get to a point where I can do this full time. I have wayyyy to go but hopefully someday.
Great story!! Thank you for sharing it. Very inspiring
I am a little late to this party but the video was so inspiring....i had to share. I was a writer when I was a kid...had a couple things published but wasn't an artist (still won't say that I am...which annoys my boyfriend). I was a jock. I started when I was 9 and I played whatever struck my fancy. I even played a pro sport. Long story short...haha....at 45 I picked up painting but am complete terrified to share my art with the public. My boyfriend and some friends are encouraging me to put my paintings out there but.....
@@Rafiandklee ok funny development. I was talking to a co-worker and I mentioned that I paint and showed her a couple picture of my stuff and talked about this....my fear of putting my stuff out there......and she tells me she's on the board of a local artist fair and I should sign up. It's a pretty popular one and I would need to submit three pieces for approval to the board. I am trying to convince myself this is a sign😊
My origin story: like you, I have been drawing and painting my whole life, but always discouraged from doing it. I got a job at an agency as a graphic designer, got comfy, thought I would be doing that forever - and then one day, I got laid off. Not because of my work, but because the management mismanaged the company and needed to make cuts, and so they axed the art department. After that huge shake-up, I created my first coloring book, and now my second one is out and I'm almost done a third. I also do gallery shows. I'm hardly making my bills, but I'm finally realizing that this, what I'm doing now, is what I should be doing with myself. And every time a bill comes up and I'm not sure how to pay it, I somehow make a sale or get a commission - it feels like the universe is helping me out. I admit I'm scared all the time, but to me, I just can't trust another company with my life anymore. I need to do me, even if I'm poor! Thank you guys for being so REAL and honest. I recently found your channel and love it!!
It doesn't sound like a good life.
Truly inspiring!
Great story, Rafi.....lol
I am so fascinated by your origin story. So what part of Illinois are you from? I live in Southern Illinois. My mother was born and raised in Pensacola and moved to SI when she met my dad. He was stationed in Pensacola in the 1950's. I remember visiting the beaches with my grandmother when they were still wild with sea oak and not a condo in site. I envy your courage to pack up and just go. I hope to catch you and Klee on my next visit and see your art in person. Love Rafi's Rants and Klee is adorable, she cracks me up!
I make art and would love to set up a booth at one of the festivals. Is it true that you have to have a vendors license in the state of Florida? Any advice you have for setting up a vendor booth in Pensacola would be greatly appreciated.
Hey Rafi & Klee, yeah, your story sounds an awful lot like my younger years. . . nearly identical. "you can't do Art for a living still echo's in my head at 53 . . . from my childhood. You two are awesome. Love ya's, "keep it turned on" Have a great day.
You are a Master of the Pun , My first Brush with Art ! LOLZZZZ
My origin story (the very short version) is this:
I've been drawing since I was a kid, mostly in pencil but In 2011, I started painting, simply because I love exploring new ways to be creative.
I was never actually encouraged to be an artist, but I did get good feedback on my art, and I still do. I remember drawing on binders at school, and the self-portrait I did in art class in 8th grade. I've developed a lot since drawing horses on that binder :D
In 2015, after some less than stellar coaching advice had me down a dead end for a number of years, I'd had enough of working so bloody hard for so few results. Working more didn't get me more, it only drained me. So I decided to just do what I love instead, and work a lot less. I wanted simplicity and ease, I wanted to own my multi-passionate nature, I wanted to keep learning and exploring things, and I wanted to follow my intuition more, make my own rules instead of other people's cookie cutter solutions. So that's what I've been trying to create since then.
My art sales are few and far between but I'm now at a comfortable pricing structure, at least, and the print sales have become slightly more frequent. I'm still far away from the freedom I want though.
If you want to have a look, my site is lindaursin.net
Thanks :) I've been veeery visible for a long time online. So hopefully, it will start doing that soon
Thank you for sharing. Love your videos, but what’s with the artificial drum beat in the background?! :-)
yeah, that was my story for creative writing. Too terrified to show people till the kid I babysit submitted it to a contest for me.
yep, I got an award for it.
Thanks so much for making this video. It was really motivating to here.
I was just wondering, How much did you price your very first paintings at?
Currently in the process of my origin story lol
Origin: I was a street artist in Europe & transitioned to be a muralist in the U.S.A.!
You must be making mad money!
Hi guys, I'd love to hear your opinion about my situation. I'm a parttime designer, working at a foundation that takes care of disabled people. I love my job as it involved many different disciplines, such as graphic, media and product design. I'm doing that for 20 hours a week and I love my job. When I'm off, I'm either painting, buying more paint and canvasses or watching your video's :)
Do you think it's necessary for an artist to do it fulltime to be able to progress skills, do marketing related things etc. to become a "successful" artist? I'm not doing art for the money, meaning I'm in it for the fun and it's a great way to express yourself, but it sure is nice to sell a piece every now and then if only to be able to pay for the paint and canvasses.
My story is a very interesting but LONG one one for the little time I have been around on this earth. (at the end of the story age 18) I hope you see this! :) Link to my work is at the end! :) insta. I just have always have had a pull to the arts. I never started out as the best in the younger years but my vision was relay different from the other kids. I had the straight up "natural talent" with composition and prospective. ect. But the way it was put down was not the best it needed a lot of improvement. In grade 6,7,8 my art was always shown as the example from the art teacher and they would always be floored about the ideas and the creativity of it but i did not comprehend that at the time. The teacher would point out in front of the class on what I needed to improve on and i took that to hart in a good way and tried to improve the class and school was seeing that and I got bullied HARD for my art. Since art was the only way I knew how to cope that only lead to more art witch lead to way more bullying. Going into high school I faked being dumb and got into a different school out of my zoning. FINALLY I had a fresh chance. I was just known as that weird chill art kid that was very polite to everybody, and In my grade 10 year I took my art very seriously and was Improving like wildfire. around that time I got into my first street show and sucked but I had something unique to bring to the table so people were kind of like OoOoO you like art kid? and responded with yes witch lead to my first sale. I was happy for my first sale so I went into it like a mad man and started to step up my game. nothing much happend in that year but my Friends thought I was going crazy but respected me after hearing the first half of the story fast forward to 1.8 years later completing 250+ paintings on canvas or Framed drawings alone not including the good old trusty sketchbooks. yeah I got a lot done one day out of the blue my friend found a add on the internet for a call out for artists to be on TV. (There is a collage program close buy that has film students and there work gets put onto the local TV station.) I downloaded a copy and put it up on my UA-cam channel and my friend referenced me. so I just randomly got a email and then it just went on from there next there is a TV crew at my studio.... Things kept only going up from there... A local artist that was also on that TV show contacted me and asked if I wanted to team up and get some of my work out there in cafes It was fun!!! and simultaneously the word about the TV Interview had gotten out since they filmed some shots at my school too.. The very few friends that I talked to spread it like WILDFIRE... and the teacher that was involved with the Interview sent it out to ALL of the other teachers in the school. Teachers I did not personally know were showing it to there cases... Within 3 days the original got up to 200+ views ( vimeo.com/256998574 ) I sold a handful of more painting from that within acouple of months as the same time as that that the same artist who got my work into the cafe just automatically put my work into another cafe inside a city hall!! and as well as that one of the teachers who saw the TV Interview got me into a show called "The Passion Project" at the same collage that the film students were at... I created a Trptic for it called "The Human Kindness Trptic" and that went well!!! the same teacher got my artwork into a Invite only show in a neighboring city hall for a art festival. I also applied for a booth as a street vendor selling art and into the silent auction for fundraising and got in because my art was in the main advent for city hall... It all went amazing I sold a couple paintings as a vendor and the 3 paintings that was put into the silent auction for Fundraising never came back ;) It has been a amazing ride so far and I can not wait to see whats around the corner!!!! Hopefully Your videos will help me for the next phase. God Bless and keep on making art brother.
My work It would be a honor if you checked it out :)
instagram.com/generationunnamed/
yet again thank you very much Rafi. :)
I am not a full time artist, but just recently I started trying to sell my art online. I am not aggressive about it, and to be honest, I have only sold 3 pieces and one was a commission. I have a Facebook page and my Etsy shop. I love creating art, but it feels weird to call myself and artist and I have only ever had one piece in a gallery and it did not sell. I can only create a few pieces a week as I work full time and have kids. But it would be wonderful to be able to go full time one day. This is a link to my Etsy page. www.etsy.com/shop/MaggiesArtShopCo and Facebook page: m.facebook.com/maggiesartshop/
I LOVE YOU AND YOUR WIFE IS DAMN CUTE
I’ve been doing art for pretty much my whole life, though I still struggle with showing people or sharing it. I’ve been a restaurant manager for about 20 years now, doing small pieces and selling them from time to time. I went through a nasty divorce last year and have turned back to my art as a means of coping. Started making little worldbuilding/ constructed language / fantasy art videos here last year. Thought I should finally use that painting degree of mine for something. I would much rather do art all the time rather than running a sports bar. You can see a few of my small pieces on my Instagram under @MichaelBaconArt . Would love your feedback.